Martin, we have had what is suppose to be Hardy Chicago for about 5-6 years now. It has never really produced much fruit.
I received cuttings of Sal's (EL) this last spring. Rooted them and then place them in a 5 gallon pot. The Sal's (EL) is now about two to two and a half feet tall.
I have been trying to compare the leaves against of our Hardy Chicago all summer. My Sal's (EL) that I got from Gene, does not look like our Hardy Chicago. Plus, the Sal's from Gene is a heavy producer right in the pot and being less then 4-5 months old.
Also, our Hardy Chicago has no absolutely no mosaic virus what so ever. The Sal's that we got from Gene seems to be infected with the mosaic virus. But, it does not appear to effect the plants ability to grow very fast and to produce a lot of figs, for such a young fig.
I, for one think that Sal's (EL) is a better plant then Hardy Chicago.
In speaking to Paul Traceski about 10 to 12 years ago, when he was testing fig plants for cold hardiness, he told me that he thought that Sal's was much more cold hardy then Hardy Chicago. From what I understand he ended up keeping out of his test batch, only one fig. It was Sal's (EL).
Our Hardy Chicago seems to be reasonably cold hardy. But it has always gotten killed back to the ground by late spring frost, after surviving our winters.
I have always felt that there are many different strains of Hardy Chicago.
But, I agree with those who say the name is not important. As long as you can grow it in your location and it taste good.
Bob